Jasper County to close many service buildings for RAGBRAI

The Jasper County Courthouse, administration building, county attorney’s office and community center will be closed when RAGBRAI cyclists ride through town on July 27. Although officials did not entirely like the idea of closing some county offices, the board of supervisors reluctantly made the decision on June 27.

With the RAGBRAI route cutting through most of First Avenue, supervisors felt accessibility to a number of county buildings would be almost impossible. However, some county departments — like secondary roads crews and conservation — will still have to work the day of RAGBRAI.

Elderly nutrition operates out of the Jasper County Community Center, and program director Kelli Van Manen decided sack lunches will be delivered the day before. Brandon Talsma, chair of the board of supervisors, said the staff in the affected buildings will have a paid day off.

As part of the supervisors’ motion to close the four buildings, the county is also giving the local RAGBRAI committee access to the county parking lot at the administration building. The official RAGBRAI beer garden will be at the open green space west of Bank Iowa, which is in close proximity to the lot.